Permutation-lock.



-E. E. QUAIN'IAIICE.v

PERMUTATIONl LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED we. 22. 1911".

Patented May 28, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1 s z s 2 A COLUMBIA PLANouRAw-l co.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

' E. E. QUMNTANGE.

PERMUTATION LOCK.

APPLIoATIoN FILED um. 22; 1911.

Patented May 28, 1912.

2 sums-snm 2 ELLsWoRTH` E. QUAINTaNdE, or DENvER, COLORADO.

PERMUTATION-LOCK.

1 Specification of Letters Patent.

i `Patented May'28,1912.

Application f11edfAugusta2,-1911. serial No. 645,428.

Tnt/LIZ whom t may concern.' 1

Be itknown that I, ELLswoRTH E. QUAIN- TANCE, a citizen of the United Stat-es, residing inthe city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have Ainvented certain new and useful Improvements inV Permutation-Locks; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, suchL as will enable others skilled in the art to-which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadv to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

`My invention relates to improvements iu permutation locks ofthe classset forth in my previous application, Serial Number 600,839, filed January 4, 1911, and also of the class set forth in a series of previous patents to which `the 'attention of the oflice is called. A

In my present Vfo-rm of construction, the lock is equipped with a hollow spindle, to one extremity of which is pivotally con# nected a shackle of the padlock type, the

opposite extremity of the shackle beingv adapted to enter the other end of the spindle where it is arranged to interlock with a pallet or longitudinally-disposed platelecated within the hollow spindle, the latter being slotted to allow the edge of the plate toV pass throughvand enter recesses lformed in parts of the respective tumbler members when the latter have beenadjusted to bring the recesses into alinement, whereby the combination of the lockris solved.k When the 'palletor longitudinallydisposed plat-e is allowed to enter the alined recesses of the said parts of all ofthe tumblers,` t-he extremity of the pallet, which is adapted to interlock the adjacent extremity of the shackle, becomes disengaged from the shackle, allowing the latter to be turned on its pivot for the purpose of releasing the staple or other device through which. the' shackle is passed forlocking purposes. In this respect, the features of the lockare common to several other patents already obtained by me for permutation locks. Y' l My present construction contains several novel features, one of which is that the exterior surface of the tumblers is devoid of:

numbers or other charactersadapted to Vbe brought into alinement to indicate that the recesses of the tumbler parts are in alined relation for unlocking purposes; In my present device, the said numbers are placed upon disks carried by theA tumblers and exposed only when the lock is taken apart to set the combination, the said numbered disks being at all other times entirely conceaied. Provision is made for an adjustment ofthe tumblers, whereby, when each tumbler is turned the necessary degree to vbring the recess of its disk into line with the edge of the pallet, a certain number ofV clicks may be counted by the person solving the combination, the said number indicating one figure of the combination when the latter is solved.L In this way, each tumbler is first moved to its limit of `movementin one direction, which may be termed rearwardly, provision being made for stopping the rearward movement of the tumbler at the zero mark ofthe numbered disk of each tumbler. In setting the combination, the lfigure whichfis to form an element of the combination is placed directly in alinement with an interiorly pro-V ject-ing tongue formed on the shell of the tumbler and whichfwhen the tumbler ismoved rearwardly preparatory'to its for- Ward movement for the purpose of solving with a stop on a spacing device interposed .between the tumblers and carrying a springpressed click consist-ing of a ball adapted to enter recesses formed in an additional disk located Vadjacent to the numbered disk ofr the tumbler. l The numbered disk has but a single recess, while the vdisk which engages the click ball of the spacing device contains a series of recesses, one only of whichV is in register with the recess of the numbered disk. As'the tumbler is turned, the click ball engages the various recesses of the plurally recessed disk interposed between zero and the number'of t-henumbered disk forming an element of the combination. In this way, the solver of the combination is en-V abled to know, without exposed numbers,y when each tumbler has been moved far enough to solve the combination. v

Another feature consists in equipping the lockwith an auxiliary pallet-which does not interlockk withY the shackle o-f the device.

This pallet is provided with teeth or yprov jections formed on one of its edges which are adapted to enter the plurally recessed disk lof each tumbler. In several forms; of my patented lock, the main pallet is later-V 11oKV ally adjustable by pressing upon an exteriorly exposed device whereby one edge ot' the pallet is caused to enter recesses formed in the adjusted tumbler members when the combination is solved. Hence, it 'all of the tumblers but one were adjusted to bring their recesses into alinement for solving the combination, a person wishing to unlock the lock, and not knowing the combination, could, by constant pressure upon the pallet in the direction to cause it to enter the alined recesses and simultaneously turning the o-ne tumbler to be adjusted, cause the pallet to enter the recess of the tumbler in process of adjustment and thus easily solve the combination. By equipping my present lock with an auxiliary pallet having no interlocking equipment with the shackle, I make provision for moving the auxiliary pallet independently of the main pallet when pressure is applied to the exteriorly protruding device, whereby the auxiliary pallet vmay be moved to cause projections or teeth formed thereon to enter the recesses of the plurally recessed part of each tumbler member, whereby the tumblers will all be locked against rotary movement, if lateral pressure is applied during an attempt to solve the combination. This feature makes it impossible to apply pressure to the pallet during the rotation of a tumbler'.

Having brieiiy outlined my improved construction, 1 will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustra-ted an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing: Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved lock, the shackle being shown in locked position. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section, t-aken through the lock on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, or on a plane cutting the axis of the shackle pivot, the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a similar section, taken at right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. el is a cross sect-ion, taken on the line -l1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail view ot the centrally located spacing washer interposed between the two centrally located tumblers ot the lock. Fig. 6 is a section, similar to Fig. 2, the pallet, however, being in the unlocked position or in the position to allow the shackle to open. Fig. 7 is a section, taken on the line 7 9 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction 'of arrow 7. Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view of one of the spool-shaped tumbler spacing devices carrying the spring-pressed click balls. Fig. 9 is a section, taken on the line 7 9 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of arrow 9. Fig. 10 is a section, taken on the' line 10-10 of Fig.

6, looking toward the left. Figs. 11 and 12 are det-ail views of the auxiliary pallet and the main pallet, respectively.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a hollow spindle, within which are located the body portions of two pallet members 6 and 7, 6 being the main pallet and 7 the auxiliary pallet. Each pallet consists of a. comparatively thin metal plate of a width making it practicable to conceal the pallet members within the hollow spindle, the latter, however, being slotted to allow the pallet members to pass out of the spindle in an edgewise direction for t-he purpose of entering the recesses of the tumbler parts when the tumblers are adjusted to solve the combinat-ion. This slot is designated 8 in the drawing. The opposite extremities ot' the hollow spindle are equipped with caps, designated 9 and 10, respectively. The end ot the spindle, to which the cap 9 is applied, is provided with a pivot 12 which retains the extremity 13 of the shackle in place, the said extremity turning freely on its pivot, the adjacent extremity of the spindle having a slot 14 and the cap 9 a registering slot 15 for the entrance of the pivote'd end of the shackle. This pivot has both of its extremities in engagement with the hollow spindle and the cap 9, so that, when the pivot member is in place, the cap- 9 is fixed upon the spindle. l The opposite end or the spindle is provided with a slot 16 and the cap 10 with aregistering slot 17 to receive the end 1S of the shackle, this shackle extremity being recessed, as shown at 19, to receive the extremit-y 2O of the main shackle 6, whereby, when the tumblers are in the locked position, the shackle is in interlocking relation with the pallet, thus preventing the opening of the shackle until the tumblers are so adjusted as to allow the pallet the necessary lateral movement for disengaging its extremity 20 from the recess 19 of the shackle.

The tumbler mechanism of the device is interposed between t-he two caps 9 and 10 of the hollow spindle, the tumblers being arranged to rotate on the hollow spindle between the two caps.

4As illustrated in the drawing, the lock is provided with four tumblers, each of which may be designated in its entirety by the numeral 21.l Each of these tumblers is cupshaped and has an interiorly-projecting flange 22 provided with aseries of recesses 23, there being ten (10) recesses in all, corresponding with the characters from zero to 9, both inclusive, the recesses 23 being spaced to harmonize with the spacing of the said characters upon the numbered disk 24: forming an element of each tumbler, the numbered disk, however, having but a single recess 31.

In assembling the parts of the tumbler, the numbered disk 24 is first inserted in the cup-shaped shell ot the tumbler and bears against the recessed flange 22 of the shell. This shell contains an interiorly-projecting tongue or rib 26, extending in a direction parallel with the axis of the hollow spindle, and, when t-he combination is set, the figure or character of the numbered disk 24, which is placed in radial alinement with the tongue 26, forms an element of the combination. The disk 24 is provided on its outer edge with a series of grooves 27 located respectively in radial alinement with the characters from zero to 10, inclusive. Each of these grooves is adapted to receive the tongue 26 when t-he disk 24 is inserted in the cup-shaped shell of the tumbler. After placing the numbered disk 24 in position against the flange 22 ofthe tumbler shell, a second disk 28 is inserted. Each disk 28 has a series of radially varranged recesses 29 rspaced to'harmonize with the spacing of the n characters on the disk 24. This disk 28 is also provided with a groove 30 on its outer edge, adapted to receive the tongue 26 of the tumbler shell, the recess 30 beingso arranged that, .whenfthe tongue 26 is in engagement therewith, one of the recesses 29 25 of the series r`will be in register with the single recess31of thedisk 24. Hence, when the three elements of eachtumbler 21 are in assembled relation, one of the recesses 23 of the flange 22 of the disk shell and one of 8O the recesses 29 of the disk 28 will be in register with the single radial recess 31 .of the numbered disk 24. This is true, regardless of the arrangement of the disk 24 'within the tumblerl shell. Hence, when all 35 of the tumblers are properly adjusted, the three alined recesses of each tumbler will be s in alinement or register with each other, and so 4arranged as to receive the edges of the two pallet members as the latter are moved laterally whereby they yare caused to protrude through the slot 8 of the hollow spin dle.

'As illustrated in the drawing, there are two pairs of tumblers 2,1, so arranged that Y 45, the open extremities ofthe Vcup-shaped shells are contiguous or arranged toward each other, each pair y'of tumblers being spaced by a spool-shaped spacing member 32, which is provided with an interiorly-projecting tongue 33, adapted to enter a longitudinallydisposed counterpart groove 34 formed ex- Y teriorly in the l.hollow spindle, whereby the spacing member is locked against rotation upon the spindle. This spacing member is slotted, as shown at 3,5, to receive the pallet members after the latter are adjusted to unlock the shackle after the solving of the combination. Each of these, spacing members 32is equipped withajcasing 36 having open extremities 37 throughwhich click balls 38 protrude, the said; balls being normally forced outwardly by a spiral spring 39 in terposed between them and locked withinthe casing 36, the axis of thesp-ring being paral- 5 lelwith the axis ofthe hollow spindle. j Each of these click balls 38 is adapted to enter the respective recesses 29 of each disk member 28 every time the tumbler is turned adistance equal to the space between two of the radial vrecesses 29 of the said disk.` It is by virtue of the action of these click balls upon the disk 28 of each tumbler that the adjustment of the latter may be accurately made for the purpose of solving the combination by one who'knows the elements or figures of the combination.

The spacing members 32 are made of such width that the two tumblers between which they are interposed will not rub against each other suiiiciently to cause one tumbler to operate the other, while either is being rotated on the hollow spindle; at the same time, the adjacent edges of each pairof tumblersare suiiiciently close that there is no appreciable space between them.` The flanged extremities of the innermost, two tumblers, however, are separated by a disk 40, which is provided with an interiorlyprojecting tongue 41 adapted to enter the Y groove34 of the hollow spindle. This disk 40 is also provided with arecess 42 which is arranged to register with the slot 8 of the hollow spindle, and, consequently, adapted to receive the protruding edges of the pallet members 6 and 7 when the `latter are actuated to disengage the member 6 from theV shackle of the lock. This separating disk 40 prevents either of the innermost two tumblers from Vinterfering with the other during the rotary independent action necessary for I solving the combination.

As the construction of each tumbler member is identical with every other tumbler member, the description and arrangement oi the various elements of one tumbler is sufficient for all. The arrangement of the two pairsof .tumbler members, as heretofore explained, brings the flanged ends of the innermost two tumbler members adjacent each other and in engagement with/the spacing disk 40 heretofore explained, while there is a spool-shapedV spacing member between the individual tumbler members of each pair, the spacing member entering the open extremity of the cup-shaped shellof each tumbler membier, half of each spacing member being located in each shell, whereby the click balls 38 of each spacing member are brought into operative engagement with the recesses 29 of each tumblerk disk 28. In order that the pallet members 6 and 7 may be moved laterally for the purpose of disengaging the recessed extremity 2O of the pallet 6 from the 6 being designated 43 and thatof the memf Vber 7 as 44.

The projections 45 and 46 of the two pallet members are of the same length, while theV projection 47 of the member 6 is somewhat shorter than the corresponding projection 48 of the member 7. Hence, the part 48 of the member 7 normally extends slightly below the projection 47 of the main member 6. The T-shaped extremities 43 and 44 of the two pallet members enter a slot 49 formed in a relatively narrow plate 50, which is passed transversely through the hollow spindle adjacent the inner extremity of the cap 9 thereof, the said plate entering a cavity 51 formed by the flange 52 of a ring 58, surrounding the hollow spindle adjacent one extremity, the annular flange 52 of the said ring bearing against a circumferential flange 54 formed on the cap 9. The ring 53 and the cap 9 may be considered fixed to the hollow spindle, when the parts of the lock are assembled, and the narrow plate 50 is freely movable in registering openings 55 and 56 formed respectively in the shell of the hollow spindle and the annular flange 52 of the ring 58. This plate 50 is of sufficient length to protrude through both openings 5G in the annular flange 52 of the ring 53, and, when it is desired to laterally adjust the two pallet members for the purpose of unlocking t-he shackle, the solver of the combination presses upon the extremity 57 of the narrow plate, and, if the tumblers are properly adjusted for solving the combination whereby the recesses 31 of each numbered disk 24 are in alinement with each other and with the edges of the pallet members, the narrow plate 50 will be permitted suihcient movement to cause both pallet members to enter the recesses 31 of the disks 24 of all the tumbler members. If, however, the combination has not been solved and an attempt is made by pressing upon the extremity 57 of thenarrow plate for the purpose of aiding in solvingl thev combination, the auxiliary tumbler member 7, by virtue of the fact that the projection 48 of its T-extremity, is slightly longer than the corresponding projection 47 of the main tumbler member, will be actuated sufficiently to cause teeth or projections 4 formed thereon to enter recesses 29 of the disks 28 of the various tumbler members, whereby rotary action of any tumbler member will be prevented.

Each spool-shaped tumbler spacing member 32 is provided with a slight projection 58 which forms a stop which is engaged by the tongue 26 of each tumbler shell, when the tumbler is moved rearwardly to its limit of movement preparatory to solving the combination. In other words, when each tumbler member is moved rearwardly until its tongue 2G engages a projection 58 of each spacing member, in order to properly adjust the tumbler member, it must be moved forwardly until a number of clicks resulting from the engagement of a click ball 38 with a recess 29 is counted equal to the number forming an element of the combination for the particular tumbler in question.

Attention is called to the fact that the spoolshaped spacing member has two circum ferentia-l flanges 59 formed at each extremity thereof, one of these flanges being in contact with each disk 28 of the tumbler members separated by the spacing device. Each of these circumferential flanges 59 is provided with a stop projection 58 arranged to coperate with the tongue 26 of the adjacent tumbler member.

From the foregoing description, the use and operation of my improved permutation lock will be readily understood. In assembling the elements of the lock, each numbered disk 24 is placed in the cup-shaped element of the tumbler with the figure of the disk which is toform an element of the combination in radial alinement with the tongue 2G of the cup-shaped tumbler shell. The tumbler members are then arranged on the spindle in such a manner that the recesses 31 of all the disks 24 are in register with the pallet members 6 and 7. These pallets may be caused to protrude through the longitudinal slot of the spindle to form a guide for the assembling of the tumblers. Garemust be taken in assembling the elements of the lock that the spacing device 32 be interposed between the two pairs of tumbler members, and that the spacing disk 40 be interposed between the innermost two tumbler members. After the various elements have been applied to the hollow spindle and the cap 10 also applied, the interlocking extremity 18 of t-he shackle is passed through the registering openings 16 and 17 of the cap and spindle into position to be engaged by the pallet member 6 when the latter is in its normal position concealed within the hollow spindle. rlhe pallet is then allowed to enter the spindle into interlocking engagement with the shackle, after which the movement of one or more tumblers to bring the recess 31 of its disk 24 out of alinement with the edge of the pallet members, will throw oli the combination, so to speak, and make it necessary to solve the combination before the pallet 6 can be adjusted to disengage the shackle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A tumbler or permutation device including a shell, a disk adjustably mounted within the shell and having characters formed thereon for setting the combination, the said characters being concealed from view when the parts of the lock are assembled, and a second disk located within the shell and having a series of recesses corresponding in number and arrangement with the characters on the first-named disk.

2. A tumbler or permutation device includ'ing a cup-'shaped shell, a disk rotatably adjustable in the shell and having a series of characters formed 'thereon for determining an element of the combination to be solved, the said disk having a single recess, and a second disk having a series of recesses, any one of which is adapted to register with the single recess of the rst-named disk when the tumbler parts are assembled, the said recesses of the second disk corresponding in number and arrangement with the characters on the first-named disk. 8. A `tumbler orfp'ermutation device including `a shell, and a disk-therein having a single 'recess formed edgewise therein, and a series of characters formed on the face thereof and spaced equi-distantly for determining an element of the combination to be solved, the peripheral edge ofthe disk having a series of recesses in radial alinement with the respective characters on its face, the shell of the tumbler having a single tongue adapted to engage any one of the ,peripheral grooves of the disk, according to the character that it is desired to include as an element of solved.

4. A tumbler or permutation device including a shell, and a disk therein having a single recess formed edgewise therein, and a y series of characters formed on the` face thereof and spaced equi-distantly for determining an element of the combination to be solved, the peripheral edge of the disk having a series of recesses in radial alignement with the respective characters on its face,

. the shell of the tumbler having a single tongue adapted to engage any onek of the peripheral grooves of the shell, according to the character which it is desired to include as an element of the combination to be solved, and a second disk havingV a4 series of recesses harmonizing in number and arrangement with the characters and peripheral grooves of the first-named disk, any one of said recesses being adapted to register with the single recess of the irstgnamed disk, the second disk having a single groove in its peripheral edge adapted to be engaged by the tongue of the shell when one of its series of recesses is in .register with the single recess of the charactered disk.

5. A tumbler or permutation device com- .prising a shell having an interiorly-projecting flange at one end thereof, the said flange having a series of radially arranged recesses formed in its inner edge, a disk rotatably adjustable in said shell, the said disk having a single recess adapted to register with one of the recesses of the said flange,

. and a second disk also located in the shell and having a series of recesses corresponding in number and arrangement with those ofthe shell flange.

6.`A tumbler or permutation device comthe combination 'to be prising a shell having an interiorly-projecting flange at oney edge thereof, the said flange, and a second disk also located in the shell and having a series of recesses corresponding in number and arrangement with those of the shell flange, the shell. of the tumbler havingV an interiorly projecting tongue, the disk having the single recess being provided with a series of peripheral grooves, any one of which is adapted to be .engaged by the tongue of the shell, while the disk having the series of recesses is provided with a single groove, for the purpose set forth.

7 The combination of a hollow spindle, a pallet laterally movable therein, permutation devices rotatably mounted thereon for controlling the lateral movement of the pallet, each of the said devices having a series` -tion devices rotatably mounted thereon kfor controlling the lateral movement of the pallet, each of the said devices having a series of recesses, and spacing members interposed between the permutation devices, each of said members carrying two clickswhich respectively and simultaneously engage the recesses of the permutationV devices..

9. The combination of a hollow spindle, a pallet laterally movable therein, permutation devices rotatably mounted thereon for controlling the lateral movementl of the pal-- let, each of said devices having a disk provided with a seriesof characters formed on its face and a series of grooves formed in its peripheral edge and in radial alinement with the characters of the disk, each permutation device having a shell in which the disk is mounted, the said shell having an inlio teriorly-projecting tongue adapted to engage any peripheral groove of the disk, and a stop carried by the hollow spindle and adapted to be engaged by the tongues of the tumbler shells when the tumblers are adjusted preparatory to their operation for the purpose of solving the combination.

10. The combination of a hollow spindle, a pallet laterally movable therein, permutation devices rotatably mounted thereon for controlling the lateral movement of the pallet, each of said devices carrying a disk provided with a series of characters formed on its face, and aseries of grooves formed in its peripheral edge and in radial aline-ment with the said characters, each permutation device having a shell in which the disk is mounted, the said shell having an interiorly protruding tongue adapted to engage any peripheral groove of the disk, spacing members interposed between the tumblers and having projections constituting stops adapted to limit the rotary movement of t-he tum blers when adjusted preparatory to solving the combination, the said projections of the spacing members being engaged by the said tongues of the tumbler shells for stopping purposes.

11. The combination of a hollow spindle, a pallet laterally movable therein, permutas tion devices rotatably mounted thereon for controlling the lateral movement of the pallet, each of said devices having a disk provided with a series of characters formed on its tace, grooves formed in its peripheral edge in radial alinement with the said characters, each permutation device having a shell in which the disk is mounted, the said shell having an interiorly-projecting tongue adapted to 'engage any peripheral groove of the disk, spacing members interposed between the tumblers and having projections adapted to be engaged by the tongue of the tumbler shells, the projections constituting stops when the tumblers are adjusted preparatory to their operation for the purpose of solving the combination, the said Yspacing members each carrying spring-pressed clicks adapted to engage the tumblers whereby the combination may be audibly solved without visual assistance, substantially as described.

l2. The combination with a hollow spindle, of tumblers rotatable thereon, a pallet laterally movable therein and composed of two members, one of which is movable independently of the other to lock the tumbler's against rotation.

13. A permutation lock comprising a hollow spindle, tumblers rotatable thereon, a pallet laterally movable therein and composed of a main member and an auxiliary member, a shackle having one extremity piVota-lly connected with the spindle, while the other extremity is adapted to interlock with the main member of the pallet, the auxiliary pallet member being movable independently of the main member for locking the tumbler-s against rotation, substantially as described.

14. A permutation lock comprising a hollow spindle, a pallet laterally movable therein and composed of a main member and an auxiliary member, a shackle having one extremity pivot-ally connected with the spindle, while the other extremity is adapted to interlock with the main member of the pallet, the auxiliary pallet member being movable independently of the main member for locking the tumblers against rotation, the two pallets having T-shaped extremities, a slotted plate transversely mounted in the hollow spindle and adapted to receive the T-shaped' extremities of the pallet members, the T-end of the auxiliary member being longer than that of the main member to allow the independent adjustment of the auxiliary member by the initial movement of the transversely-arranged slotted plate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses,

,ELLSWORTH E. QUAINTANCE.

Witnesses: e

GLAnA BRADEN, F. E. BOWEN.

CQBQS ef this patent may be obtained. fovrtilement eeiiiii; addressing die @rarissima of lPaten'S Washington ci 

